JP7434876B2 - Light guide plates, display devices, input devices and electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light guide plate that displays an image in a space, a display device including the light guide plate, an input device including the display device, and an electric device including the display device or input device.

Patent Document 1 discloses an optical device that forms a three-dimensional image. The optical device includes a plurality of light converging parts. The light convergence section is a direction in which the light guided by the light guide plate enters and substantially converges to (i) one convergence point or convergence line in space, or (ii) one convergence point or convergence line in space. Each of the optical surfaces has an optical surface that allows the emitted light to be emitted from the emitting surface in a direction substantially diverging from the emitting surface. The convergence points or convergence lines are different among the plurality of light converging parts, and an image is formed in space by a collection of the plurality of convergence points or convergence lines.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-114929

However, when an image having a plurality of planes that are not parallel to each other is formed by the display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the planes are formed by a uniform collection of convergence points or convergence lines, the three-dimensional effect is poor. Become a statue. Patent Document 1 neither discloses nor suggests a method for improving the three-dimensional effect when forming such an image.

One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a light guide plate or the like that can display a three-dimensional image with improved three-dimensional effect.

In order to solve the above problems, a light guide plate according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of optical path changing parts that converge incident light to a corresponding fixed point, and a plurality of optical path changing parts corresponding to each of the plurality of optical path changing parts. A light guide plate that forms a three-dimensional image in space by a collection of the fixed points, wherein the three-dimensional image includes a plurality of planes that are not parallel to each other, and the planes include a plurality of planes arranged dispersedly on the plane. dots, and the density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces has a value depending on the position of the surface.

According to the above configuration, the surface included in the three-dimensional image is composed of a plurality of dots distributed on the surface and having a density depending on the position of the surface. The brightness of the surface varies depending on the density of the dots. Therefore, it is possible to display a stereoscopic image with improved stereoscopic effect compared to, for example, a case where the surface is composed of dots of a constant density.

Further, in the light guide plate according to one aspect of the present invention, the density of the plurality of dots on each of the plurality of surfaces is different from a normal direction of the surface or a direction representing the surface and a predetermined direction. Preferably, the angle is determined according to the angle between.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reproduce the brightness on each surface when it is assumed that light is incident on a stereoscopic image from a predetermined direction. Therefore, the brightness of each surface in a stereoscopic image can be appropriately determined.

Further, in the light guide plate according to one aspect of the present invention, the upper limit of the density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces is preferably 50%.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopic image due to an excessive density of dots.

Further, in the light guide plate according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that an interval between the plurality of dots that are adjacent to each other in a direction parallel to an incident surface through which the light enters the light guide plate is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value.

According to the above configuration, even if a plurality of dots are blurred in a direction parallel to the incident plane, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the dots are connected and visually recognized as a line.

Moreover, in the light guide plate according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the stereoscopic image further includes contour lines of the plurality of surfaces.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to express the details of the edge of the surface using the contour line.

Further, a display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the light guide plate and a light source that makes light enter the light guide plate.

According to the above configuration, a display device that displays a stereoscopic image with improved stereoscopic effect can be realized by allowing the light emitted from the light source to enter the light guide plate.

Further, an input device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the display device and a sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner in a space where the stereoscopic image is displayed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an input device that detects a user's operation on a stereoscopic image with improved stereoscopic effect using a sensor and receives input.

Further, an electrical device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above display device or input device.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the three-dimensional effect of an image displayed by a display device or an input device included in an electric device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a light guide plate or the like that can display a three-dimensional image with improved three-dimensional effect can be realized.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a stereoscopic image formed by a light guide plate according to a configuration example. FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the principle of display by a display device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for determining the brightness of each surface included in a stereoscopic image. It is a graph showing an example of the relationship between angle and brightness of a surface. It is a graph showing the relationship between the brightness of a surface and the density of dots. It is a figure explaining arrangement of a dot. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the brightness of a curved surface when a stereoscopic image has a curved surface. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of a stereoscopic image formed by the light guide plate according to the configuration example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a surface in a stereoscopic image displayed by a display device according to a first modification. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a stereoscopic image displayed by a display device according to a second modification. It is a figure showing the input device concerning the 3rd modification. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine to which an input device is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the display device is applied to a tail lamp of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the display device is applied to an input section of an elevator. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the display device is applied to an input section of a hot water toilet seat washer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a display device according to a fifth modification. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a display device according to a fifth modification. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of a display device according to a fifth modification. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an optical path changing section included in a display device according to a fifth modification. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of optical path changing sections. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a method of forming a stereoscopic image using a display device according to a fifth modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. However, this embodiment described below is merely an illustration of the present invention in all respects. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

§1 Application Example First, the principle of display by a display device equipped with the light guide plate of the present invention will be explained. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the +X direction in FIG. 2 is the front, the -X direction is the rear, the +Y direction is the upward direction, the -Y direction is the downward direction, the +Z direction is the right direction, and the -Z direction is the left direction. It may be explained as.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the principle of display by the display device 10. The display device 10 forms a stereoscopic image that is viewed by a user in a space without a screen. FIG. 2 shows how the display device 10 displays a stereoscopic image I, more specifically, a button-shaped stereoscopic image I on which the word "ON" is displayed. As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 10 includes a light guide plate 11 and a light source 12. According to the display device 10, an image formed by the light guide plate 11 using light from the light source 12 can be displayed.

The light guide plate 11 guides the light incident from the light source 12 and causes it to exit from the output surface 11a, thereby forming a three-dimensional image in space. The light guide plate 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of a resin material that is transparent and has a relatively high refractive index. The material forming the light guide plate 11 may be, for example, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, glass, or the like. The light guide plate 11 includes an exit surface 11a (light exit surface) that emits light, a back surface 11b on the opposite side to the exit surface 11a, and four end surfaces, ie, an end surface 11c, an end surface 11d, an end surface 11e, and an end surface 11f. We are prepared. The end surface 11c is an entrance surface through which light projected from the light source 12 enters the light guide plate 11. In the following description, the end surface 11c will be referred to as the entrance surface 11c. The end surface 11d is a surface opposite to the end surface 11c. The end surface 11e is a surface opposite to the end surface 11f. The light guide plate 11 spreads and guides the light from the light source 12 in a plane parallel to the output surface 11a. The light source 12 is a point light source that makes light incident on the light guide plate 11. Specifically, the light source 12 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source.

A plurality of optical path changing sections 13 including an optical path changing section 13a, an optical path changing section 13b, and an optical path changing section 13c are formed on the back surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. The optical path changing portion 13 is formed substantially continuously in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the plurality of optical path changing sections 13 are each formed along a predetermined line within a plane parallel to the output surface 11a. Light projected from the light source 12 and guided by the light guide plate 11 enters each position of the optical path changing unit 13 in the Z-axis direction. The optical path changing unit 13 substantially converges the light incident on each position of the optical path changing unit 13 to a fixed point corresponding to each optical path changing unit 13, respectively. FIG. 2 particularly shows the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c as part of the optical path changing section 13. In each case, a plurality of lights emitted from each of the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c are shown converging.

Specifically, the optical path changing unit 13a corresponds to the fixed point PA of the stereoscopic image I. Light from each position of the optical path changing section 13a converges on a fixed point PA. Therefore, the wavefront of the light from the optical path changing section 13a becomes the wavefront of light emitted from the fixed point PA. The optical path changing unit 13b corresponds to a fixed point PB on the stereoscopic image I. Light from each position of the optical path changing section 13b converges on a fixed point PB. In this way, the light from each position of the arbitrary optical path changing section 13 substantially converges on a fixed point corresponding to each optical path changing section 13. Thereby, any optical path changing unit 13 can provide a wavefront of light such that the light is emitted from a corresponding fixed point. The fixed points to which each optical path changing section 13 corresponds are different from each other, and a collection of a plurality of fixed points corresponding to each optical path changing section 13 allows the user to A three-dimensional image I is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c are formed along the line La, the line Lb, and the line Lc, respectively. Here, the line La, the line Lb, and the line Lc are straight lines substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. Any optical path changing section 13 is formed substantially continuously along a straight line parallel to the Z-axis direction.

§2 Configuration Example FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a stereoscopic image IA, which is a specific example of the stereoscopic image I formed by the light guide plate 11 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic image IA has planes A and B that are not parallel to each other. FIG. 1 shows a stereoscopic image IA in which rectangular surfaces A and B are joined at one side of the rectangle, and the one side is inclined with respect to the plane of the paper.

Surfaces A and B are composed of a plurality of dots distributed and arranged on the surfaces A and B. A dot is an image of a point of light focused on a point in space. The density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces A and B has a value depending on the position of the surfaces A and B. Therefore, according to the light guide plate 11, each of the surfaces A and B can be easily recognized, and the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional image IA can be improved.

The display device 10 can also display a stereoscopic image having more planes than the stereoscopic image IA. Further, the display device 10 can display not only a flat image but also a three-dimensional image having a curved surface such as a sphere. The curved surface may be displayed as a collection of many small surfaces, or may be displayed as one curved surface.

The density of dots on each of the surfaces A and B is determined according to the angle between the normal direction of the surface and a predetermined direction. Specifically, (i) the brightness of each of surfaces A and B is determined according to the above angle, and (ii) the density of dots on each of surfaces A and B is determined according to the above brightness. It is determined.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for determining the brightness of surfaces A and B, respectively. The method described below is a method for reproducing the brightness when light is irradiated onto a stereoscopic image from a predetermined direction. In this method, as shown by reference numeral 3001 in FIG. 3, a virtual light source 100 that is a virtual light source that irradiates light 110 from a predetermined direction to the stereoscopic image IA is set. It is assumed that the virtual light source 100 is located at an infinite distance with respect to the stereoscopic image IA. That is, the direction (predetermined direction) in which the light 110 enters the stereoscopic image IA from the virtual light source 100 is constant regardless of the position on the stereoscopic image IA. Then, as indicated by reference numeral 3002 in FIG. 3, angles θA and θB between the directions of normal lines PLA and PLB of surfaces A and B, respectively, and the direction of light 110 are calculated.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the angles θA and θB and the brightness of the surfaces A and B. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents angle and the vertical axis represents brightness. The brightness values in FIG. 4 are normalized values with the minimum value being 0 and the maximum value being 1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the smaller the angles θA and θB, the greater the brightness of the surfaces A and B. By setting the brightness in this way, it is possible to reproduce how the light from the virtual light source 100 hits. However, the relationship between angle and brightness and the range of angles that define the relationship are not limited to the curve shown in FIG. 4, and may be set freely.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the brightness of surfaces A and B and the density of dots. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis shows the brightness of surfaces A and B, and the vertical axis shows the dot density. The density of dots on each of the surfaces A and B increases monotonically as the brightness of the surfaces A and B increases. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the density of dots is proportional to the brightness of surfaces A and B. By forming the optical path changing section 13 on the back surface 11b of the light guide plate 11 so that dots are arranged on each of the surfaces A and B at a density determined based on the relationship shown in FIG. It is possible to manufacture a light guide plate 11 that can form an image.

The density of the dots is determined as appropriate depending on the design of the stereoscopic image IA. For example, when designing the stereoscopic image IA to be bright overall, the density of dots is increased overall. However, if the density of dots on the surfaces A and B is too high, the surfaces A and B will appear as if they are filled in, and the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional image IA will deteriorate. The upper limit of the dot density is preferably 50%. If the upper limit of the dot density is 50%, it is possible to prevent the stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopic image IA from deteriorating due to excessive dot density.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of dots D. Individual dots may be randomly placed. However, the shape of the dots tends to be blurred in a direction parallel to the incident surface 11c of the light guide plate 11. For this reason, as shown by reference numeral 6001 in FIG. As a result, the dots D may be visually recognized as a connected line instead of individual dots D. In this case, the stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopic image IA may deteriorate.

Therefore, as shown by reference numeral 6002 in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the interval DD between the plurality of dots D adjacent to each other in the direction parallel to the entrance surface 11c is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value may be set to a distance at which the dots D do not connect to each other when a plurality of dots D adjacent to each other in the direction parallel to the entrance surface 11c are blurred. By arranging multiple dots D in this way, even if the dots D are blurred, the dots D can be easily seen individually, which reduces the possibility that the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional image IA will deteriorate. Can be reduced.

Furthermore, as described above, the display device 10 can display curved surfaces. However, unlike the normal to a plane, the normal to a curved surface is not uniquely determined. Therefore, the density of dots on a curved surface is determined, for example, depending on the angle between a direction representing the curved surface and a predetermined direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining the brightness of the surface C when the stereoscopic image I has the surface C which is a curved surface. FIG. 7 shows normal lines PLC1, PLC2, PLC3, and PLC4 at four different points on surface C. The directions of normal lines PLC1 to PLC4 are different from each other. As an example of a method for determining the brightness of the surface C, the direction of an arbitrary normal line on the surface C is taken as a direction representing the surface C, and the brightness is determined according to the angle between the direction and the direction of the light 110. An example of this method is to determine the density of dots.

For example, consider a case where the direction of the normal line PLC3 is the direction representing the surface C. In this case, the angle between the direction of the normal PLC3 and the direction of the light 110 is calculated. Then, the brightness determined based on the calculated angle is taken as the brightness of the entire surface C, and the dot density determined based on the brightness is taken as the dot density on the entire surface C.

The density of dots does not necessarily have to be determined by the method described above. The brightness of surfaces A and B is determined freely (for example, the brightness of surface A is 1.0 and the brightness of surface B is 0.5) without using the above method, and based on the brightness, the image shown in FIG. The dot density may be determined based on the relationship shown in . Specifically, an example is given in which brightness is determined for each gradation of the original color of the stereoscopic image IA. Even when brightness is determined in this way, by making the brightness different for each surface, it becomes easier to recognize those surfaces separately. Therefore, the stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopic image IA can be improved compared to the case where each surface is uniformly imaged. Alternatively, two or more virtual light sources 100 that emit light 110 to the stereoscopic image IA from different directions may be set, and the brightness from each virtual light source 100 may be added up to obtain the final brightness.

§3 Operation Example FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a stereoscopic image IB, which is another specific example of the stereoscopic image I formed by the light guide plate 11. In FIG. 8, a 3D model IB0 to be expressed by a stereoscopic image IB is indicated by a reference numeral 8001. Further, a stereoscopic image IB1 that represents the 3D model IB0 only with outlines is indicated by reference numeral 8002. Further, a stereoscopic image IB2 in which each surface of the 3D model IB0 is filled in is indicated by reference numeral 8003. Further, a stereoscopic image IB obtained by imaging the 3D model IB0 by the light guide plate 11 is indicated by reference numeral 8004.

Since the surface of the 3D model IB0 is not displayed in the stereoscopic image IB1, the 3D model IB0 cannot be expressed. On the other hand, in the stereoscopic image IB2, since all the surfaces are displayed in the same way, each surface cannot be recognized separately, and the three-dimensional effect of the 3D model IB0 cannot be expressed.

On the other hand, in the stereoscopic image IB, the dots D are arranged at different densities for each surface. That is, a plurality of surfaces are displayed by dots D arranged at mutually different densities. For this reason, according to the stereoscopic image IB, compared to the stereoscopic images IB1 and IB2, it is easier to recognize each surface of a 3D model composed of a plurality of surfaces separately, and it is easier to feel a three-dimensional effect. In other words, the light guide plate 11 is able to form a stereoscopic image IB with improved stereoscopic effect compared to the stereoscopic images IB1 and IB2. Therefore, according to the light guide plate 11, the range of expression of the stereoscopic image IB is expanded compared to the conventional light guide plate.

§4 Modifications Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above descriptions are merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the following changes are possible. In addition, below, the same code|symbol is used regarding the same component as the said embodiment, and description is abbreviate|omitted suitably about the same point as the said embodiment. The following modified examples can be combined as appropriate.

<4.1>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing surface A in the stereoscopic image IA displayed by the display device 10 according to the first modification. In the configuration example described above, the dots indicating the surface A were randomly arranged. On the other hand, in the first modification, as shown in FIG. 9, when the surface A is subdivided into triangular areas A1 to A8, dots D1 to D8 are placed at the center of gravity of each triangle. By arranging dots regularly in this way, the appearance of surface A can be improved.

However, as described above, it is preferable that the plurality of dots be arranged at different positions in the direction perpendicular to the entrance surface 11c. Therefore, if the positions of a plurality of dots overlap in the direction perpendicular to the entrance plane 11c by arranging the dots using the method according to the first modification, it is preferable to change the positions as appropriate.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, surface A is subdivided into eight areas A1 to A8 for ease of viewing. However, the actual number of subdivisions of the surface may be determined as appropriate depending on the dot density and size of the surface. Further, the shape of each area is not limited to a triangle either.

Further, dots arranged randomly as in the above-described configuration example and dots arranged regularly as in the first modification may coexist on the surface A. In this case, the dots can be arranged uniformly while maintaining appropriate randomness, and the appearance can be further improved.

<4.2>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a stereoscopic image IB displayed by the display device 10 according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 10, in the second modification, the stereoscopic image IB further includes an outline OL of each surface in addition to dots D indicating each surface of the 3D model IB0. According to the second modification, even the details of the surface of the stereoscopic image IB can be clearly displayed. Furthermore, by making the contours of each surface clear, the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional image IB can be emphasized.

<4.3>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an input device 20 according to a third modification. As shown in FIG. 11, the input device 20 includes a display device 10 and a sensor 24. The sensor 24 detects an object in a space where the stereoscopic image I is displayed by the display device 10 in a non-contact manner. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 24 is a photoelectric sensor that irradiates light toward the stereoscopic image I and detects an object using reflected light. However, the sensor 24 may be a photoelectric sensor of a different type. Further, the sensor 24 may be a sensor other than a photoelectric sensor.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 24 was on the opposite side of the stereoscopic image I with respect to the display device 10. However, the installation position of the sensor 24 is not limited to this, and may be installed on the same side of the display device 10 as the stereoscopic image I, or above, below, left, or right with respect to the stereoscopic image I.

When a user performs an input operation using a pointer F such as a finger on a stereoscopic image I displayed by the display device 10, the sensor 24 detects the pointer F, and the input device 20 accepts the input. According to the input device 20, a switch that can be operated without contact can be realized. Further, according to the input device 20, the display device 10 can form a stereoscopic image I with improved stereoscopic effect and prompt the user to input.

<4.4>
Examples of electrical equipment including the display device 10 or the input device 20 will be described below. In the following description, only an example in which one of the display device 10 and the input device 20 is applied to an electrical device may be described. However, it goes without saying that the other may be applied depending on the purpose of the electrical equipment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine to which the input device 20 is applied. In FIG. 12, illustration of the input device 20 is omitted. The input device 20 can be applied to an input device used in an amusement device such as a pachinko or pachislot game machine. As described above, the input device 20 includes the display device 10 and the sensor 24. When a user performs an input operation using a pointer such as a finger on an image displayed by the display device 10, the sensor 24 detects the pointer, and the input device 20 receives the input.

As shown by reference numeral 12001 in FIG. 12, the stereoscopic image I is displayed on the display device as at least one switch among a plurality of switches operated by the user on the operation panel operated by the user for the gaming machine M1 (electrical equipment). 10 may be used. Further, as shown by reference numeral 12002 in FIG. 12, a three-dimensional image is formed as a switch that is formed to overlap the screen on which a presentation image for the user is displayed in the gaming machine M2 (electrical equipment), and is the target of operation by the user. I may be imaged by the display device 10. In this case, the display device 10 may display the stereoscopic image I only when necessary for presentation. Furthermore, instead of the input device 20, only the display device 10 may be applied to a gaming machine as a display device that displays images for presentation. Further, the display device 10 may be applied to a gaming machine installed in a game center, a casino, or the like.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the display device 10 is applied to a tail lamp of a vehicle C. The display device 10 can be applied to a tail lamp 1A (electrical device) of a vehicle C, for example, as shown by reference numeral 13001 in FIG. In this case, the display device 10 includes a light guide plate 11A and a light source 12, as shown by reference numeral 13002 in FIG. The light guide plate 11A differs from the light guide plate 11 in that it has a curved shape that matches the shape of the vehicle C. A stereoscopic image I is displayed by changing the optical path of the light incident from the light source 12 by the optical path changing unit 13 formed in the light guide plate 11A. Furthermore, the display device 10 may be applied to a vehicle lamp or a vehicle display device other than a tail lamp.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing how the display device 10 is applied to an input section of an elevator. As shown by reference numeral 14001 in FIG. 14, the display device 10 can be applied to, for example, an input section 200 of an elevator. Specifically, the input unit 200 displays the stereoscopic images I1 to I12 on the display device 10. The 3D images I1 to I12 are displays (3D images I1 to I10) that accept user input specifying the destination (floor) of the elevator, or displays that accept instructions to open and close the elevator doors (3D images I11 and I12). This is a three-dimensional image formed. When the input unit 200 receives a user's input for any stereoscopic image I, the input unit 200 changes the imaging state of the stereoscopic image I (for example, changes the color of the stereoscopic image I) and responds to the input. An instruction to do so is output to the elevator control unit. The input unit 200 may display the stereoscopic image I only when a person approaches the input unit 200. Furthermore, the input unit 200 may be placed inside the wall of the elevator.

In the input unit 200 of the elevator, for example, if there are many people in the elevator, a part of the user's body may be located at the imaging position of the stereoscopic image I, and the input unit 200 may receive an input that the user did not intend. There is a possibility that it will be accepted. Therefore, in the input unit 200, the display device 10 may display a stereoscopic image I that prompts the user to perform a rotation operation, for example as indicated by reference numeral 14002 in FIG. In this case, the input unit 200 may accept the user's input only when a rotation operation is received on the stereoscopic image I by, for example, a motion sensor. Since the rotation operation is an operation that is not normally performed unless the user intends it, it is possible to prevent the input unit 200 from accepting input that the user does not intend. Alternatively, as shown by reference numeral 14003 in FIG. 14, the three-dimensional image I may be displayed in a recess provided in the inner wall of the elevator. As a result, input to the stereoscopic image I is performed only when the user's finger or the like is inserted into the recessed portion, so it is possible to prevent the input unit 200 from receiving input that is not intended by the user.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the display device 10 is applied to an input section of a warm water toilet seat washer. As shown in FIG. 15, the display device 10 can be applied to, for example, an input section 300 (operation panel section) of a warm water toilet seat washer. Specifically, the input unit 300 displays the stereoscopic images I1 to I4 on the display device 10. The three-dimensional images I1 to I4 are three-dimensional images in which a display for accepting an instruction to start or stop the cleaning function of the warm water toilet seat washer is formed. When the input unit 300 receives a user input for any stereoscopic image I, the input unit 300 changes the imaging state of the stereoscopic image I (for example, changes the color of the stereoscopic image I) and responds to the input. An instruction to do this is output to the controller of the heated toilet seat washer. Many users do not like to directly touch the operation panel of a warm water toilet seat washer for hygiene reasons. In contrast, the user can operate the input unit 300 without directly touching (physically touching) the input unit 300. Therefore, the user can operate without worrying about hygiene. Note that the input device of the present invention can also be applied to other devices that are undesirable for hygienic reasons. For example, the input device of the present invention is suitable for application to a serial number ticket issuing machine installed in a hospital, an operating section of a movable door that is touched by an unspecified person, and the like. Further, when there are multiple options such as surgery or internal medicine on a serial number ticketing machine installed in a hospital, it is suitable because it can display a stereoscopic image I corresponding to each option. Further, the input device of the present invention is suitable for application to a cash register or a food ticket vending machine installed in a restaurant.

In addition, the display device 10 may be used, for example, at an input section of an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), at an input section at a credit card reader, at an input section for unlocking a safe, or at a door that is unlocked by a password. It can be applied to input sections, etc. Here, in conventional password input devices, input is performed by physically touching the input section with a finger. In such cases, fingerprints and temperature history remain on the input unit. Therefore, there was a fear that someone else might know the password. On the other hand, when the display device 10 is used as an input unit, fingerprints and temperature history are not left behind, so it is possible to prevent the password from being known to others. As another example, the input device 20 can be applied to a ticket vending machine installed at a station or the like.

Furthermore, the display device 10 operates a light switch for a bathroom vanity, a faucet operation switch, a range hood operation switch, a dishwasher operation switch, a refrigerator operation switch, a microwave oven operation switch, and an IH (Induction Heating) cooking heater. It is also applicable to input devices for home appliances, input devices for toys, etc., such as switches, operation switches for electrolyzed water generators, intercom operation switches, hallway lighting switches, and compact stereo system operation switches. By applying the display device 10 to these switches, (i) the switches are easy to clean because there are no irregularities, (ii) the design is improved because a three-dimensional image can be displayed only when necessary, and (iii) the switches can be contacted. (iv) It is less likely to break because there are no moving parts.

<4.5>
A display device 10A as a fifth modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the display device 10A. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the display device 10A. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the configuration of the display device 10A. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical path changing unit 16 included in the display device 10A.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the display device 10A includes a light source 12 and a light guide plate 15 (first light guide plate).

The light guide plate 15 is a member that guides the light (incident light) incident from the light source 12. The light guide plate 15 is made of a resin material that is transparent and has a relatively high refractive index. As a material for forming the light guide plate 15, for example, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, etc. can be used. In this modification, the light guide plate 15 is molded from polymethyl methacrylate resin. As shown in FIG. 17, the light guide plate 15 includes an exit surface 15a (light exit surface), a back surface 15b, and an entrance surface 15c.

The output surface 15a is a surface that outputs light that has been guided inside the light guide plate 15 and whose optical path has been changed by an optical path changing unit 16, which will be described later. The output surface 15a constitutes the front surface of the light guide plate 15. The back surface 15b is a surface parallel to the exit surface 15a, and is a surface on which an optical path changing section 16, which will be described later, is arranged. The entrance surface 15c is a surface through which the light emitted from the light source 12 enters the inside of the light guide plate 15.

The light emitted from the light source 12 and incident on the light guide plate 15 from the incident surface 15c is totally reflected by the emission surface 15a or the back surface 15b, and is guided inside the light guide plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 17, the optical path changing unit 16 is formed on the back surface 15b inside the light guide plate 15, and is used to change the optical path of the light guided inside the light guide plate 15 and make it exit from the output surface 15a. It is a member. A plurality of optical path changing sections 16 are provided on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 18, the optical path changing section 16 is provided along a direction parallel to the entrance surface 15c. As shown in FIG. 19, the optical path changing section 16 has a triangular pyramid shape and includes a reflecting surface 16a that reflects (total reflection) the incident light. The optical path changing portion 16 may be, for example, a recess formed in the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15. Further, the optical path changing section 16 is not limited to a triangular pyramid shape. As shown in FIG. 18, on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15, a plurality of optical path changing section groups 17a, 17b, 17c, .

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the optical path changing sections 16. As shown in FIG. 20, in each optical path changing unit group 17a, 17b, 17c..., the reflective surfaces 16a of the plurality of optical path changing units 16 are arranged on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15 such that the angles with respect to the light incident direction are different from each other. has been done. Thereby, each optical path changing unit group 17a, 17b, 17c... changes the optical path of the incident light and causes it to exit from the output surface 15a in various directions.

Next, a method of forming a stereoscopic image I using the display device 10A will be described with reference to FIG. 21. Here, a case will be described in which a three-dimensional image I as a plane image is formed on a three-dimensional image imaging plane P, which is a surface perpendicular to the exit surface 15a of the light guide plate 15, by light whose optical path has been changed by the optical path changing unit 16. .

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a method of forming a stereoscopic image I using the display device 10A. Here, a description will be given of forming a ring mark with diagonal lines as a stereoscopic image I on a stereoscopic image imaging plane P.

In the display device 10A, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, the light whose optical path has been changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17a intersects the stereoscopic image forming plane P at lines La1 and La2. As a result, a line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image plane P. The line image LI is a line image parallel to the YZ plane. In this way, the line images LI of the lines La1 and La2 are formed by the light from the many optical path changing units 16 belonging to the optical path changing unit group 17a. Note that the light for forming the images of the lines La1 and La2 may be provided by at least two optical path changing units 16 in the optical path changing unit group 17a.

Similarly, the light whose optical path has been changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17b intersects the stereoscopic image forming plane P at lines Lb1, Lb2, and Lb3. As a result, a line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image plane P.

Further, the light whose optical path has been changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17c intersects the stereoscopic image forming plane P at a line Lc1 and a line Lc2. As a result, a line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image plane P.

The positions in the X-axis direction of the line images LI formed by the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c, . . . are different from each other. In the display device 10A, by reducing the distance between the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c..., the distance in the X-axis direction of the line image LI imaged by each optical path changing unit group 17a, 17b, 17c... Can be made smaller. As a result, in the display device 10A, by integrating the plurality of line images LI formed by the light whose optical path has been changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17a, 17b, 17c, . . . A stereoscopic image I, which is a plane image, is formed on a stereoscopic image imaging plane P.

The stereoscopic image plane P may be a plane perpendicular to the X-axis, a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis, or a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis. Furthermore, the stereoscopic image plane P may be a plane that is not perpendicular to the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis. Furthermore, the stereoscopic image imaging surface P may be a curved surface instead of a flat surface. That is, the display device 10A can form the stereoscopic image I on any surface (plane and curved surface) in space using the optical path changing unit 16. Furthermore, by combining a plurality of plane images, a three-dimensional image can be formed.

<4.6>
Light may be caused to enter the light guide plate 11 from the end face 11e or 11f by a light source different from the light source 12. In other words, the display device 10 may further include a light source other than the light source 12 that makes light enter the light guide plate 11 from the end surface 11e or 11f. The color of the light emitted by the other light source is different from the color of the light emitted by light source 12.

In this case, an optical path changing section 13 corresponding to the light source 12 and an optical path changing section 13 corresponding to another light source are formed on the back surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. Regarding the stereoscopic image I, by making the density of the light dots emitted by the light source 12 and the density of the light dots emitted by another light source different for each surface, each of the multiple surfaces of the stereoscopic image I They can be of different colors.

1A Tail lamp (electrical equipment)
10 Display device 11 Light guide plate 11a, 15a Output surface (light output surface)
11c, 15c Incident surface 12 Light source 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 16 Optical path change unit 20 Input device 24 Sensor I, IA, IB Stereoscopic image A, B, C Surface D, D1 to D8 Dot M1, M2 Gaming machine (electric device)
OL Contour line PLA, PLB, PLC1, PLC2, PLC3, PLC4 Normal line θA, θB Angle

Claims (8)

The light guide plate includes a plurality of optical path changing sections that converge incident light onto corresponding fixed points, and forms a three-dimensional image in space by a collection of the plurality of fixed points corresponding to each of the plurality of optical path changing sections. hand,
The stereoscopic image includes a plurality of planes that are not parallel to each other,
The surface is composed of a plurality of dots distributed on the surface, and
A light guide plate, wherein the density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces is a value that monotonically increases with the brightness of the surface. The light guide plate includes a plurality of optical path changing sections that converge incident light onto corresponding fixed points, and forms a three-dimensional image in space by a collection of the plurality of fixed points corresponding to each of the plurality of optical path changing sections. hand,
The stereoscopic image includes a plurality of planes that are not parallel to each other,
The surface is composed of a plurality of dots distributed on the surface, and
The density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces has a value depending on the position of the surface,
A light guide plate in which the density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces is determined according to the direction of the normal line of the surface or the angle between a direction representing the surface and a predetermined direction. The light guide plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an upper limit of the density of the plurality of dots on each of the surfaces is 50%. The distance between the plurality of dots that are adjacent to each other in the direction parallel to the plane of incidence on which the light enters the light guide plate is such that when the plurality of dots that are adjacent to each other in the direction parallel to the plane of incidence are blurred, The light guide plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide plate is set at a distance that does not connect to each other . The light guide plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stereoscopic image further includes contour lines of the plurality of surfaces. The light guide plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A display device comprising: a light source that makes light enter the light guide plate. A display device according to claim 6;
An input device comprising: a sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner in a space in which the stereoscopic image is displayed. An electrical device comprising the display device according to claim 6 or the input device according to claim 7.

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